Read across 155 countries, used as a textbook at more than 500 universities and referenced by many Fortune 100 companies and design consultancies, Research for Designers: A Guide to Methods and Practice has become a must-read for designers worldwide.

Ahead of its forthcoming third edition being published, we sat down with the book’s author Gjoko Muratovski to explore some of the new insights and perspectives featured in this latest edition and why the book continues to be an important resource for understanding the role of design in the 21st century.

There are two previous editions of Research for Designers: A Guide to Methods and Practice. What makes this edition different from the others and why did now feel like the right time to share this book with the world? 

The third edition of Research for Designers stands out as a timely response to yet another changing landscape of design and research. The rise of AI, the need for diversity and inclusion and the approaching Fifth Industrial Revolution are already changing how we design and think about design.

I felt that this was the right moment to update the book to reflect these shifts and to provide readers with the tools and the context they need to navigate these challenges effectively. This edition is not just a guide to research — it’s a resource for understanding the expanding role of design in the 21st century.

What 3 tips would you offer to designers who are looking to engage in meaningful, solution-driven research? 

Start with the Right Questions

Before jumping into solutions, invest time in understanding the problem. Asking the right questions is critical to uncovering the root causes of challenges rather than addressing surface-level symptoms. Defining the problem clearly is the first step toward effective research and will lead to more impactful, sustainable solutions.

Adopt a Cross-Disciplinary Approach

Today’s design challenges are complex and multifaceted. To tackle them, designers must engage with a variety of disciplines like sociology, technology, environmental science, and business. This broader perspective can enrich your research and will allow for innovative, holistic solutions that consider the social, cultural, and environmental context.

Balance Data with Empathy

Generating data is important, but so is understanding human needs. Combine qualitative methods like interviews and ethnographic studies with quantitative tools such as data analysis and statistics to create solutions that are both informed and deeply empathetic. This combination ensures that your designs are not only functional but also resonate with the people they are meant to serve.

What is something you learned while writing this edition of the book that surprised you?

One of the most surprising revelations during the writing process was realizing just how much technological advances have transformed the design field into a purpose-driven discipline. With advancements in AI and automation, the focus of design is now shifting from the “how” to the “what” and “why.” In the past, the challenge for designers was how to craft solutions; today, the challenge is understanding the broader implications of those solutions.

Design is no longer about mere aesthetics or functionality. It is not even about problem-solving anymore. Design now is about leadership and purpose. This is the realization that helped me shape this new edition.

The book features contributions from several well-known designers from around the globe, including some from the WDO community. Tell us a little bit about how those collaborations came about and what you were hoping to achieve in incorporating these perspectives as part of this edition. 

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with many designers who are reshaping the design landscape and driving the global design discourse. Some are highly accomplished figures in our industry. Others are emerging but important voices. Our collaborations were driven by a shared interest in advancing the field of design further.

By including these contributions, I wanted to provide readers with real-world, actionable insights from a range of cultural and professional contexts. The book is not just about theory; it’s about practice, and these contributions reflect that dynamic, diverse, and global approach to design.

In your opinion, what are a few of the most important lessons readers can expect to extract from the book?

I will share five important lessons:

Develop critical thinking skills

Readers will learn how to apply “gold standard” research methods to their design practice, enabling them to develop critical thinking skills. The book emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions and thinking deeply about design problems, which are essential skills for any designer today.

Think like a leader

The real power in design resides with the person who prepares the design brief. Not with the person who executes the brief. And good design briefs are always grounded in good research. Why? Because without research you cannot make informed decisions and formulate a strategy. And without strategy, you cannot lead. You can only follow or react. This is why research is the cornerstone of strategy and a precondition for successful leadership.

Feel empowered to shape the future 

Designers are visionaries who can shape the future, not just by creating products and visuals, but by envisioning systems and solutions that address complex societal, environmental, and technological challenges. This should empower readers to view design through a more expansive and impactful lens.

Focus on the process, not the solution

Contemporary designers often deal with multifaceted, complex issues that don’t have clear, definitive solutions. Designers need to learn how to navigate ambiguity, think critically, and embrace iterative processes, understanding that design in these contexts is less about finding the ‘right’ answer and more about continuous exploration and adaptation.

Prepare for Industry 5.0

Readers will gain an understanding of the ethical and environmental responsibilities designers face today. The book stresses the need for design to align with broader societal goals, particularly in relation to sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. This lesson is crucial as we move into Industry 5.0, where design could play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges like climate change and social inequality.

Research for Designers is not just a guide to research methods—it’s a manual for navigating the future of design with leadership, responsibility, and innovation. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, this edition provides the insights and tools you need to thrive in the ever-changing world of design.

Pre-order your copy today

By combining design-led innovation and strategic foresight with agile and lean management principles, Gjoko Muratovski helps organizations become human-centric, more efficient, and future-proofed. Muratovski has more than 25 years of experience working and collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, universities, and governments from around the world, including the U.S. Federal Government, Australian State Governments, NASA, International Space Station (ISS), World Health Organization, UNESCO, Greenpeace, TATA, Johnson & Johnson, P&G, Toyota, Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Amazon, and Facebook.

Muratovski has also been an invited member of thought leading organizations such as the Yale Higher Education Leadership Summit (USA), Oxford Digital Leaders Network (UK), Oxford University Society (Australia), Forbes Councils (USA), and the Future of Learning (India). He is an Ambassador for the Good Design Awards (Australia), Fellow of the Designers Institute (New Zealand), and Fellow of the Design Research Society (UK).